May 22th
2009
8:37 PM
I've been taking Yaz for about a year and a half. I also take lexapro to help even out extreme mood swings I would get (2 weeks before my period). For a while, probably the first year, I just felt more tired, which I thought was because of the lexapro. In the past 6 months though, I have been getting a stomach flu type illness every month, 3 days after I start my new pack of pills. I also have a very sensitive stomach and get sick easily. I recently lost 5 pounds (from 125 to 120) without making any lifestyle changes. Also, this year I've had low iron levels, and noticed my stools are black from time to time. I went to the doctor today to have my blood checked and also submitted stool samples. Could this all be from Yaz? I have been getting the flu (or flu like illness) way too much this year, and my boyfriend never catches it from me. I am worried about going off the medication because the yaz and lexapro have really controlled my mood swings, and my skin gets much worse without birth control. I'm just worried something more serious is going on here. I am 26 and a healthy eater, so I don't understand all the stomach problems! Does anyone else have these issues? Especially after starting a pack of pills (I feel fine the week of my period)...
-- By bgirl | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
March 22th
2009
12:35 PM
I posted my experience with YAZ on March 1st. I'm a 45 year old woman who began taking YAZ about 2 years ago. Please note I've been on a form of the pill for 14 years, but changed to YAZ for the last 2. The first year I was fine. However the second year I started having some issues,that until I went to this website,didn't connect with the pill. Hair thinning, diarrhea, abdominal pain, joint pain, and mood swings. After losing 15lbs very suddenly I went to the doctor, I've had had blood work done, urine and stool samples analyzed, a colonscopy, endoscopy and CT scan with no real diagnosis! I stopped taking the pill on March 1st after seeing a follow up commercial for YAZ stating what it is to be used for. I don't have PPMD or acne.
It has been 22 days and I finally feel better. The first week was VERY bad. I was a mess, physically and mentally, headaches and hot flashes! But once I got through it I began to feel better. Not everything has gone away completely and I realize it will take time. My main issue was the excessive abdominal pain and diarrhea. I have had a few bouts, but not nearly what I had before. Slowly I am feeling better.
This drug needs to be taken off the market!! I'm angry that my doctor just handed it to me like it was nothing, I feel like a guinea pig!
I have called my former gyn and let him know what has happened to me. I also plan to call the FDA and file a complaint.
If you're on YAZ get off it!
-- By lynncl542 | Reply | Private Message me
February 16th
2009
8:47 PM
I cannot tell you how glad I am to have found this website!!! My husband I got married in October 2007, and I began using the ring since condoms didn't make sense to us as a monogamous couple and the risk of missing a pill was too high. Up until yesterday, I was extremely excited about the pill. My sister and some friends of mine had experienced frequent vaginal infections with the pill, but I found that mine actually lessened! My periods were shorter, my cramps nearly disappeared, my face was the clearest it had ever been and (I thought) there were no side effects!...
In November of 2007 (a month after I began using the NuvaRing) I started to experience intestinal bloating, cramps and diarrhea. We chalked it up to the difference in food and climate (I had moved from small town Illinois to Mexico City) and stress levels--although my stress levels were MUCH higher in college and high school. My mood started to deteriorate, I was constantly exhausted, and in December 2007, I developed severe digestive problems, a swollen pancreas and chronic (15 - 28 times per day) diarrhea. I was already a fit size 6 when all of this started and in just one month I dropped 13 pounds and size 4 clothes fit me loosely. Once again...we chalked it up to me being in Mexico and subjected my body to several rounds of fierce antibiotics (given to me by three different specialists). When that did nothing to help, my husband took me to get a colonoscopy. They found nothing. I spent hundreds of dollars on allergy tests and treatments. No improvement. I went to a general practice doctor to take blood, urine and stool samples. They found nothing--no amoebas, no bacteria and no other rareties. Chiropractors, acupuncturists, herbs, enzymes and probiotics did nothing to help me.
Then between February and March 2008, I gained 35 pounds (that I could not lose even with anorexic-like diet and exercise)--but maintained the digestive problems. Since that time any food with fat, carbonation, alcohol, artificial coloring, or spice has caused me so much bloating and gas that I no longer go out to eat and party with my friends. Miraculously, NO ONE--not one single doctor or specialist--suggested along the way that it could be my birth control. I was told that my depression, weight gain, loss of libido, digestive problems, chest pains, night sweats, mood swings, numbness/tingling in my fingers was all in my head! Thank you all so much for your posts! It's like seeing a light at the end of the tunnel...
-- By heather4185 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 6th
2009
3:57 PM
49 year old male started 4 years ago at 20mg and 10mg HCTZ. some results in lowering BP. 2 years ago MD upped it to 40mg because BP inching up. quit smoking 3 years ago, not one puff since. After MD upped mg the side affects have really kicked in. I experience all the side effects listed on this site with the exception of the cough which I started with but went away after a couple months. I have had stress tests, Holter monitor for heart arrhythmias, mri, blood work, stool samples, colonoscopy, and all sorts of other tests all coming saying I'm ok, yet I don't feel ok, I get progressively worse. After 4 weeks of 5 day a week exercising with weights and aerobics to get in shape to return to racquetball I have had it. I couldn't last 45 minutes my second day out. I felt like I was hit by a truck and it took a couple days to recover.
My MD attributes the issues to aging. I going for a second opinion and third if necessary. I am told by my MD that there are no studies showing these side affects for this medications. However I look at this web site and find it hard to believe that these doctors just haven't seen any evidence of what we are all suffering from. Why don't doctors really listen to patients. We are asked to listen to our own bodies and told we know our bodies better than anyone, yet when we bring up these issues we are treated like children.
No real answers, just questions
April 18th
2008
2:30 PM
I started taking Yaz 3 weeks ago and I am feeling very sick, this headache wont go away ,stomach pain that's constant and dizziness and diarrhea I did not have this pain before, it just started when I started taking Yaz I should have research this Birth Control before I started taking it .Does anyone know how long it takes for this Birth control to be out of your system.
-- By jaclyndeno | Reply | (6) replies | Private Message me
September 19th
2009
8:24 PM
I have been on Diovan 80 mg for 3 years and have experience a lot of symptoms listed above. 8 weeks ago I got very sick and had constant diarrhea (my stool looked like it had oil floating on the water) and lost 40 lbs. After numerous blood work, ultra sounds, ct scans, colonoscopy and many stool samples I found out thay my pancrease was not working properly. The doctor told me that diovan had caused the problem with my pancrease. I now have to take a medication not to help me digest food and they have changed my bp pills. I am hoping this will work because I have missed a lot of work in the last 8 weeks and they tell me where I got so weak it will take me months to recover from this. Anyone having stomach problems please consult your doctor to see if you are having troubles with your pancrease.
-- By marilynr | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me